According to ANI, the MNM statement on Haasan calling Godse the first terrorist of independent India, said, “He was calling for religious tolerance and co-existence amongst all religious groups and condemned extremism in whichever form and religion.”

Godse had assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. MNM statement said, “This has been taken absolutely out of context and the speech has been painted as anti -Hindu, with a mala fide intent. This has created complete confusion and utmost anxiety amongst many common citizens who are not privy to this larger conspiracy.”

The statement comes in the wake of strong reactions coming from all quarters, with even a criminal case being filed against Haasan.

A criminal complaint was filed in Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Tuesday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. Complainant Vishnu Gupta, who claimed to be the president of Hindu Sena, has sought Haasan’s prosecution for alleged offences punishable under IPC sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, language etc) and 295-A (outrage religious feelings by insulting religion etc).

Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday moved the Election Commission, demanding a five-day ban on Haasan. Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan had also lambasted Haasan by saying, “Haasan remarks amounted to inciting communal violence.”

She added, “Though he talks of taking forward a new kind of politics, he also indulged in the old, mischievous, poisonous and divisive vote bank politics.”